Digital Commons Network^™

Bacteroides Fragilis In The Gut Microbiomes Of Alzheimer’S Disease Activates Microglia And Triggers Pathogenesis In Neuronal C/Ebpβ Transgenic Mice, Yiyuan Xia, Yifan Xiao, Zi-Hao Wang, Ashfaqul M. Alam, John P. Haran, Beth A. Mccormick, Xiji Shu, Xiaochuan Wang, Keqiang Ye

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Gut dysbiosis contributes to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis, and Bacteroides strains are selectively elevated in AD gut microbiota. However, it remains unknown which Bacteroides species and how their metabolites trigger AD pathologies. Here we show that Bacteroides fragilis and their metabolites 12-hydroxy-heptadecatrienoic acid (12-HHTrE) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) activate microglia and induce AD pathogenesis in neuronal C/EBPβ transgenic mice. Recolonization of antibiotics cocktail-pretreated Thy1-C/EBPβ transgenic mice with AD patient fecal samples elicits AD pathologies, associated with C/EBPβ/Asparaginyl endopeptidase (AEP) pathway upregulation, microglia activation, and cognitive disorders compared to mice receiving healthy donors’ fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Microbial 16S rRNA sequencing …

Patient Engagement In Patient Portals In Appalachia V. Surrounding U.S. Census Regions: An Analysis Of Hints (Health Information National Trends Survey) Data, 2017–2020, Heather Lea Tudor, Rick Ingram, Sarah Wackerbarth

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Those living in the Appalachian Region face a greater number of significant health disparities than residents of other areas of the U.S. Patient portals can decrease disparities, increase health literacy, and improve health outcomes.

Purpose: This study explores if those living in the Appalachian Region are offered access to and use their patient portals differently than those in the surrounding U.S. Census regions. Additionally, the study aims to determine if there was a difference in reported reasons for the non-use of patient portals.

Methods: A secondary analysis was completed using data from the National Cancer Institute's Health Information National …

Evaluation Of A Faculty Fellows Program In Science Communication, Stacy Stanifer, Beverly Delidow, Kathy Rademacher, Luz Huntington-Moskos, Kelly Kennoy, Amanda Thaxton-Wiggins, Craig Wilmhoff, Ellen J. Hahn

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Science communication plays a crucial role in tackling pressing regional, national, and global health issues. Effective communication with various audiences is integral to dissemination of science findings.

Purpose: This study evaluates changes in self-efficacy and attitudes toward science communication skills over time and also assesses program outcomes and satisfaction with a Faculty Fellows in Science Communication (FFSC) program among faculty (N = 30) with interest in environmental health science and/or education in Appalachia Kentucky.

Methods: A mixed methods program evaluation was employed using longitudinal data on behaviors, attitudes, and program outcomes from three cohorts of Faculty Fellows who participated …

Impact Of Interprofessional Student Teams At A Remote Area Medical Event In Rural Appalachia, Emily K. Flores, Karilynn Dowling, Caroline Abercrombie Md, Rick L. Wallace

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Education in interprofessional collaboration is vital to expand healthcare access, especially in areas of higher disparity. To address this need, interprofessional faculty collaborators incorporated undergraduate and graduate health profession students into teams at an annual Remote Area Medical event in rural Appalachia between 2017 and 2020.

Purpose: This article evaluates the impact of an interprofessional student teams model on both patient care experience and students’ interprofessional collaboration attitudes and behaviors.

Methods: Student volunteers completed pre- and post-event surveys containing questions about demographics, open-ended questions, and questions from two instruments: the Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education-Revised Instrument, Version 2 …

The Use Of Ecological Indicators In Studies Of Ecological Recovery For Sustainable Management Of Grazed Grassland Ecosystems, G. A. Heshmati

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Early warning systems that depend on the selection of suitable indicators of thresholds are useful (Friedel, 1991). An ideal indicator should be unbiased, sensitive to changes, predictive, referenced to threshold values, data transformable, integrative and easy to collect and communicate (Liverman et al., 1988). Methods for selection of indicators for assessing ecosystem health are being developed (Pyke et al., 2002). This paper examines the situation in grassland vegetation grazed by sheep in a semi arid region of northeastern Iran.

Effects Of Applied Quantity Of Phosphorus Fertiliser On Phosphorus Content In Plant Tissues Of Lucerne (Medicago Sativa) And Seed Yield In North-Western China, Y. W. Wang, J. G. Han, S. M. Fu, Y. Zhong

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Phosphorus concentration in plant tissue can be a useful index of P deficiency in lucerne, P fertiliser recommendations and monitoring of effectiveness of current P fertiliser practices (Jacobsen & Surber, 1995). The objective of this study was to measure P concentration in different lucerne plant parts and seed yield in relation to P fertiliser application rates in order to improve recommendations for lucerne seed production.

Sustainable Grazing On Saline Land In Western Australia - Multidisciplinary Research Linking Producers And Scientists, Hayley C. Norman, D. G. Masters, M. G. Wilmot, A. J. Rintoul, R. Silberstein, E. Lefroy, T. York

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Dryland salinity is one of the most critical environmental issues challenging Western Australian farmers. Currently 10% of the cropping zone (1.8 million ha) is salt-affected and this is predicted to increase dramatically in the next 50 years (NLWRA, 2001). Animals grazing saline pasture systems represent the most likely large-scale opportunity for economic return from saline land in the short to medium term. To date, few farmers have invested in large-scale revegetation of saline land as the economic return from grazing has not been perceived to cover costs. Furthermore other benefits of saltland pasture systems, such as biodiversity, water use and …

Technology Transfer Through A Network Of Producer Groups, D. J. Thomson, R. Smith

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective was to enhance the rate of uptake of research and development (R & D) in the context of the whole farm business. This paper reports on two pilot projects - SWARD (South West Agricultural and Rural Development - Devon and Cornwall) and GARD (Gloucestershire Agricultural and Rural Development). The projects were focused on improving the quality of decision making at a time of change, through the provision of R & D results and information within an integrated group support service. Key aspects of the approach are outlined below.

Development Of A Grazing Land Management Education Program For Northern Australia’S Grasslands And Grassy Woodlands, Chris R. Chilcott, M. F. Quirk, C. J. Paton, B. S. Nelson, T. Oxley

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Recognition of the potential to enhance grazing land management to meet the goal of sustainable beef production has been increasing over the past decade. Recognition of the relationship between poor land management and negative off-site environmental impacts, such as soil erosion and a decline in the condition of rivers and adjacent near shore coastal areas from sediment transport, has increased also. This concern has matured somewhat to include the critical link between land condition and production, and the threat to sustainable carrying capacity that comes from declining land condition. Concurrently, interest has increased in optimising the use of pasture, e.g. …

A University Course On Management Intensive Grazing, D. L. Zartman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Education of new talent in good grassland management is important. Farmer-oriented extension- and outreach- programs do this, but USA university curricula rarely include it. Some livestock production courses contain a segment on grazing management, but there seem to be no credit-bearing, formal courses in USA universities except in the Ohio State University (OSU). Our course teaches management of intensive grazing (MIG) for three credit hours in a quarter system. It has been a popular elective course for the past 6 years. Every year that they have entered, OSU students have won all prizes in the 18-22 age division in the …

Using Adult Learning Principles To Plan Participatory Action Research For Incorporating Ley Pastures In Sustainable Mixed Farming Systems, Cristine Hall

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the northern grain growing region of Australia, the use of ley pastures (tropical legumes and grasses) can increase soil fertility and restore soil structure on degraded cropping land. This is seen by some researchers as a viable component of a sustainable mixed farming system incorporating crops, pastures and livestock. It has been recognized that the expertise of multiple sources can contribute to successful participatory action research (PAR) (Kemmis & McTaggart 1988) so a workshop was organized as the 'Plan' phase of a research project action learning cycle (ALC) to determine best management principles of incorporating ley pastures in sustainable …

The Contribution Of Participation To The Grassland Research Of The Louis Bolk Institute, J. De Wit, T. Baars, N. Van Eekeren

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Participatory research methods are well described, but the contribution of participation to the R&D process often remains unreported. In this paper some benefits of participatory on-farm research (OFR) carried out by the Louis Bolk Institute (LBI) are highlighted.

Carbon Sequestration In Desertified Rangelands Of Hossein-Abad, Iran: A Participatory Approach, F. Amiraslani

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The Hossein-abad (H.A) area is located in Southern Khorasan Province of Iran and covers some 148,000 ha. This is one of the poorest regions in the country and has a large area of degraded rangelands. Following a request from local people and in line with national and global goals, a carbon sequestration initiative has been funded by I.R.Iran and GEF(Global Environmental Facility) from April 2003. The objective is to promote and model carbon sequestration through developing range species in cooperation with local people and using a participatory approach. The immediate target beneficiaries are the people living in the project area …

Task Force Development To Provide Education And Leadership To The Meat Goat Industry, Jeffrey C. Fisher, L. A. Nye, D. A. Mangione

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Chevon is the most frequently consumed meat in the world. Meat goat production is increasing because of the economic value of goats as efficient converters of low-quality forages into quality meat, milk, and hide products for specialty markets of health conscious, ethnic, and faith based consumers. Estimates of national marketing indicate that U.S. meat goat production is nearly 500,000 head less than demand. Where resources are limited, meat goats can be raised efficiently and profitably on small farms, so the country could become self-sufficient in meat goats.

Community Perceptions Of Vulnerable Key Ecological Resources In Baringo, Kenya, Mark N. Mutinda, Abdillahi A. Aboud, D. L. Coppock

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key resources in arid lands are often relatively small patches of seasonal grazing or water access that critically support entire livestock production systems (Scoones, 1993). When these are lost, production systems may be destroyed. An early-warning system is needed whereby key resources at risk can be identified and protected. The Baringo District of north-central Kenya has endured decades of resource abuse and high rates of population growth-breakdowns of traditional systems have occurred and food relief is common (Little, 1992). Despite this situation, most production system research in the past has been conducted at local scales of resolution. The advent of …

High Elevation Grasslands As A Crucial Resource To Ranchers Of Northern New Mexico, A. M. Mcsweeny, Carol Raish

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

High-elevation grasslands of northern New Mexico (NM), located at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains in the western United States, are a crucial resource for small-scale, family-owned ranches. Due to evolution of land acquisition in northern New Mexico, many of these lands are in public ownership, and ranchers must now rely upon government-managed grazing allotments for pasturing their livestock. Regulations and management decisions governing these lands, along with competition for use (e.g. recreation), can significantly affect the viability and survival of ranching throughout the area (Raish & McSweeney, 2003).

Forage Monitoring Technology To Improve Risk Management Decision Making By Herders In The Gobi Region Of Mongolia, Jay Angerer, J. W. Stuth, D. Tsogoo, G. Tolleson, Dennis Sheehy, U. Gombosuren, Sean Granville-Ross

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the period from 1999 to 2002, Mongolia experienced a series of droughts and severe winters that lowered livestock numbers by approximately 30% countrywide. In the Gobi region, livestock mortality reached 50% with many households losing entire herds (Siurua & Swift 2002). In March 2004, a program was initiated by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Global Livestock Collaborative Research and Support Program (GLCRSP). The goal of this program is to develop forage monitoring technologies that provide early warning of drought and winter disaster to improve livestock herder decision making in the Gobi region. The program …

On-Farm Information: A Valuable Tool For The Sustainable Management Of Mountain Pastures In Protected Natural Areas, N. Mandaluniz, A. Bernués, A. Igarzabal, I. J. L. Riedel, R. Ruiz, A. Sanz, I. Casasús, L. M. Oregui

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Mountain pastures have traditionally been maintained by livestock. The analysis of data concerning farms' characteristics, productive-reproductive management and land use of commercial farms can constitute a real approach to study these systems and the changes that are occurring. This information is necessary to develop new utilisation guidelines, making compatible livestock production and conservation of natural resources. This paper describes a methodological framework to study the issues described above through some examples taken out from a wider research project (Mandaluniz et al., 2003).

Canasta - Crop Niche Selection For Tropical Agriculture, A Spatial Decision Support System, R. O'Brien, M. Peters, R. Corner, S. Cook

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Farmers in the developing world frequently find themselves in uncertain and risky environments, often having to make decisions based on very little information. Risks for smallholder farmers are often critical because of their poverty. In addition, in the tropics and subtropics, the natural environment is spatially and temporally variable and often harsh, thereby increasing the uncertainty faced by these farmers. This research aims to improve forage adoption decisions in the developing world, thereby increasing sustainable intensification and ultimately contributing to increased sustainable world food production and the alleviation of under-nutrition.

N-Mineralisation And Phosphorous: Important Elements In Decision Support For Grassland Systems, A. Lisbeth Nielsen, C. C. Hoffmann

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Leaching of N and P from extensively managed grasslands on organic soils varies considerably. In environmentally sensitive areas it is important to diminish leaching by appropriate agricultural management. In Denmark low grazing intensity and management without fertilisation have been given a high priority. The type of soil has not been equally in focus, and it seems that the effect of cutting, compared to grazing, resulting in a higher removal of nutrients (e.g. Benke et al., 1992) can be used more strategically. The objective of this case study was to combine data from management strategies with data from leaching examinations …

The Role Of The British Grassland Society In Technology Transfer, J. M. Crichton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Since its formation in 1945, the British Grassland Society (BGS) has been active in disseminating information to the grassland and associated sectors of agriculture and has adapted to a change from production-based agriculture to its current output mix of private and public goods. The BGS has as its remit: (a) improved production and utilisation of grass and forage crops for the promotion of agriculture and the public benefit, and (b) the advancement of education and research in grass and forage crop production and utilisation, and the publication of results.

Moving Lab-Based In-Person Training To Online Delivery: The Case Of A Continuing Engineering Education Program, Catherine Maware, David M. Parsley Ii, Kun Huang, Gerry M. Swan, Nelson Akafuah

Institute of Research for Technology Development Faculty Publications

Background: Online learning has recently surged due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Because of the pandemic, many universities were forced to move to online learning, and various online teaching and learning environments emerged, both asynchronous and synchronous.

Objective: This study explores how a large university in the Southeastern United States of America converted an in-person Lean Manufacturing professional course into synchronous online learning for industry participants.

Method: The study analysed the performance of 212 in-person and 43 online industry participants and examined the views of online participants about the training. Paired t-tests, one-way multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), and univariate …

Association Of Sustained Low Or High Income And Income Changes With Risk Of Incident Type 2 Diabetes Among Individuals Aged 30 To 64 Years, Jimin Clara Park, Ga Eun Nam, Jinna Yu, Ketrell L. Mcwhorter, Junxiu Liu, Hong Seok Lee, Seong-Su Lee, Kyungdo Han

UK CARES Faculty Publications

IMPORTANCE Evidence of the association between income fluctuation and risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is scarce.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether sustained low or high income and income changes are associated with incidence of T2D.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In this population-based cohort study, more than 7.8 million adults without T2D aged 30 to 64 years from a nationally representative sample from the Korean Health Insurance Service database were enrolled in 2012 and followed up to 2019 (median follow-up, 6.3 years [IQR, 6.1-6.6 years]).

EXPOSURES Twenty quantiles of monthly health insurance premiums determined income levels. Income quartiles were annually analyzed …

Combined Behavioral And Engineering Approach To Preventing Highway Fatalities, Benjamin Blandford, Reginald Souleyrette, Caitlin N. Pope, Tony Fields, Erin Lammers-Staats

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Traditional, single-discipline highway safety approaches can be augmented through multidisciplinary approaches that consider both engineering and behavioral interventions (e.g., education, enforcement, public outreach campaigns). Leveraging a systems-based conceptual framework of roadway safety, multiple forms of statistical and geospatial analysis, and SPF modeling and network screening, this report proposes and demonstrates methods for unpacking the influence of behavioral-related factors on crash occurrences and outcomes. The primary focus is on behaviors targeted in the Strategic Highway Safety Plan — aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, and driving without proper restraint (i.e., seatbelts). Based on application of these methods, the report highlights areas …

Evaluating The Use Of A Near-Miss Reporting Program To Enhance Employee Safety Performance, Gabriel Dadi, Farshid Taherpour, Seth Atkins, Ashtarout Ammar, Jon Wilcoxson

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Using safety incidents and crashes to improve safety performance is an outdated and reactive practice in safety and health programs. One component of a modern approach to safety is a near-miss reporting program. This type of program tracks close calls or near misses that do not result in an incident or crash, but which often can be an early indicator that one may happen. While most construction companies have implemented some methods for reporting near-miss events, many agencies, such as the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), struggle getting employees to report near misses. To fill this gap, potential factors that result …

Innovative Methods To Strengthen Internal Kytc Communications, P. Gayle Marks, Jeff Jasper

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Communication is the linchpin of every organization. Poor communication leads to inefficiencies, frustration among staff, and employee disaffection and disengagement. Although some state transportation agencies have adopted comprehensive strategic plans for internal communications, many have taken a more piecemeal approach, with some Offices and units (e.g., incident management) developing their own plans that apply only to their operations. The latter approach is less than ideal because establishing a comprehensive communications plan provides an organizing framework for all communications within an organization and is critical for uniting staff around a shared sense of purpose and equipping them with the tools they …

Facilitated Identification Of Kytc Performance Measures, Candice Wallace, Jon Wilcoxson

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Federal and state government agencies are embracing performance management as a means to (1) justify the use of tax dollars and (2) monitor and report program accomplishments. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s (KYTC) efforts to fold Transportation Performance Management (TPM) into its business processes and workplace culture required training that would educate personnel about TPM’s benefits, objectives, and activities. After reviewing training resources on performance management from FHWA, NHI, AASHTO, and state DOTs, Cabinet leadership concluded that their emphasis on federal requirements was not exactly what KYTC was looking for in a training program. Instead, KYTC wanted a training program that …

Co-Targeting Nucleus Accumbens Associate 1 And Nf-Κb Signaling Synergistically Inhibits Melanoma Growth, Lixiang Gu, Xingcong Ren, Chrispus Ngule, Xiaofang Xiong, Jianxun Song, Zhiguo Li, Jin-Ming Yang

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

Nucleus-accumbens-associated protein-1 (NAC1) is a cancer-related transcriptional factor encoded by the NACC1 gene, which is amplified and overexpressed in various human cancers and has been appreciated as one of the top potential cancer driver genes. NAC1 has therefore been explored as a potential therapeutic target for managing malignant tumors. Here, we show that NAC1 is a negative regulator of NF-κB signaling, and NAC1 depletion enhances the level of the nuclear NF-κB in human melanoma. Furthermore, the inhibition of NF-κB signaling significantly potentiates the antineoplastic activity of the NAC1 inhibition in both the cultured melanoma cells and xenograft tumors. This study …

Inhibition Of Acid Sphingomyelinase Reduces Reactive Astrocyte Secretion Of Mitotoxic Extracellular Vesicles And Improves Alzheimer’S Disease Pathology In The 5xfad Mouse, Simone M. Crivelli, Zainuddin Quadri, Hemendra J. Vekaria, Zhihui Zhu, Priyanka Tripathi, Ahmed Elsherbini, Liping Zhang, Patrick G. Sullivan, Erhard Bieberich

Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), reactive astrocytes produce extracellular vesicles (EVs) that affect mitochondria in neurons. Here, we show that Aβ-induced generation of the sphingolipid ceramide by acid sphingomyelinase (A-SMase) triggered proinflammatory cytokine (C1q, TNF-α, IL-1α) release by microglia, which induced the reactive astrocytes phenotype and secretion of EVs enriched with ceramide. These EVs impeded the capacity of neurons to respond to energy demand. Inhibition of A-SMase with Arc39 and Imipramine reduced the secretion of cytokines from microglia, prompting us to test the effect of Imipramine on EV secretion and AD pathology in the 5xFAD mouse model. Brain derived-EVs from 5xFAD …

The Role Of The New Zealand Grassland Association In Technology Interaction And Policy Evolution, M. W. Calder

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The New Zealand Grassland Association (NZGA) aims for a two-way communication between grassland researchers and pastoral farmers on research findings and farming trends and opportunities. Annual conferences, special symposia, print and electronic publications as well as the web site are used to further these aims. Policy evolution is indirect, using the relationship with agribusiness sponsors and members to promote research objectives.